Lubricant compressor



Nov. 6, 1928.

D. F. FEsLER LUBRICANT COMPRESSOR Original Filed April 27, 1925 ffii/@nbr @MAW Patented Nov. 6, 1928.4

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

noUaLAs r. rEsLEn, oFcIIIoAGo, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoa To Tiara BAssIox MANUFAC- v.TURING COMPANY, or cIIIcAGo, ILLINoIs, A CORPORATION or. DELAWARE.

vL'UIBIR'ICAIMT COMPRESSOR.

VApplication led April 27, 1923, Sci-iai No. 634 939. -B'e'newed October 21, 1926.

My invention relates to improvements in lubr1cant compressors and is `particularly concerned with the provision of a lubricant compressor adapted to form part of a system for supplying lubricant under high pressure to bearings, thissystem comprising in general a plurality of fittings or nipples adapted to be secured to the bearings to be lubricated and a high pressure' compressor adapted to be successively connected with said fittings or lnipples and comprising means for forcing lubricant under high pressure into these iittings.

The objects oi my invention are:

First; To provide a compressor of the character described having a .large holding capacity, but capable of supplying lubricant under igh pressure to the bearings at a comparatively rapid rate;

Second. To provide `a compressor of the character described having a discharge conduit provided at its free end with means for making a sealed connection with a fitting and providing means whereby the pressure on the lubricant in the discharge` conduit and the connecting means can be reduced so that when the connecting means is disconnected from the'iitting, the lubricant ywill not be discharged therefrom;

Third. To provide a compressor of the character described embodying a low pressure cylinder which can be easily and' quickly filled after the contents `have been removed therefrom;

Fourth. To provide a compressor such as described in which the low pressure cylinder is provided with a follower preferably actuated by atmospheric pressure, the low pressure c linder being detachable from and reversib e relatively to the hich pressure cylinder so as to expedite the filling of the low pressure cylinder; and v Y Fifth. To provide a compressor of the character described which is simple in con struction, economical to manufacture and eas to operate. A

ther objects of my invention will appear as this description progresses, reference being had to the l accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention which is shown in vertical central section, the drawing including a transverse section'of abearin 'providedwith a tting for receiving lubricant rommy iinproved compressor. 1.-

The embodiment of my invention illusl trated in the accompanyin 'drawing comprises a low pressure cylin er 5, one end of which is provided with the closure 6 which is substantially circular in forni and has the two concentric annular ribs 7 and 8 projecting from one side thereof. A cup leather or gasket 9 is clamped to the outer face of the rib S'Qby means of the clamping ring '10 and thescrews 11. This gasketis provided with a flange 12 whichv isadapted to form a sealed joint with either endy of the low pressure cylinder 5, which can be reversed, as will later 'be described to bring either end into sealed-reiation vwith the gasket 9. I provide a cap 13 for closi'n the oppositeend of the low pressure cylin er 5, this cap having a sliding fit with the cylinder and being provided with the vent opening 14 to permit atmospheric pressure to be exerted upon the contents of the low pressure cylinder. The cap 13 is provided with a central opening for receiving the nut 15, this nut being rotatably mounted in the opening and being provided with a handle 16 by means of which it can be rotated. The nut 15 is permanently secured to the outer end of the clamping rod. 17, the inner end of which is i closure 6 in concentric relation to the annular ribs 7 .and 8. Surrounding the ela-mpling rod 17 is aguide tube 18 upon which is slidably mounted the follower 19 which is disc shaped and preferably formed of wood. The diameter of this follower is preferably such that there is a slight space betweenl the wall of the low pressure cylinder and the periphery of the follower.

The closure 8 is provided with a transversely extending bore 20, the inner end of which is enlarged to form a valve chamber 21 and the valve seat 22. Located within 'the valve chamber 21 is a. third cylinder 23,

to one end of which is secure the fibre valve 24, whichis adapted to seat against thel valve seat 22. A compression spring 25 `surrounds the third cylinder 23. One'end Sli lill! of this spring abuts against the shoulder 26 formed on the third cylinder and the other end of whichabuts against a screw-threaded plug 27, closin the outer end of the valve chamber 21. blots 28 are formed in the outer end of the third cylinder 23, so that when this cylinder is in its outermost position, its bore 29 will still be in communication with the valve chamber.

The smaller portion of the bore 20 forms a high pressure cylinder which communicates with the low pressure cylinder 5 through the opening 30. A plunger 31 is reciprocably mounted in the high pressure cylinder and is provided with the cylindrical extension 32 which extends through a suitable bore in the valve 24 and into the bore of the cylinder 23.

For reciprocating the plunger 31 I provide the lever 33, one end of which is connected with the upper end of a bifurcated link 34 by means of a pivot pin 35, and the other end of which is provided with a suitable handle 36. The link 34 has its lower end connected with a bracket 37 projecting from the closure 6 by means of a pivot pin 38. The outer end of the plunger 3l has a cap 39 secured thereto which is provided with outwardly extending bifurcations 40, only one of which is shown. These bifurcations are connected with an intermediate portion ot the lever 33 by means of the pivot pin 41. For limiting the upward movement of the handle 36 relatively to the cylinder 5, I provide the lever 33 with a proJection 42 adapted to strike the cross bar 43 of the link 34 when the handle 36 has been lifted a predetermined distance. In this manner the handle 36`may be used for carrying the compressor about.. Y

The valve chamber 2l is provlded with a flexible dischar e conduit 44, the free end of which is provi ed with a coupling member 45 of well-known construction, by means of which a sealed connection may be established with the fitting or nipple 46 secured to a bearing 47. e

In the operation of m improved compreor the coupling member 45 is attached to the fitting 46 and the operator then presses downwardly upon the handle 36. Thereupon the lubricant in the high ressure cylinder will be forced past the c eck valve 24 into the valve chamber and out through the discharge conduit 44 into the nip le 46. The length of the plunger is suoli that when the handle 36 is in its lowermost position, the valve 32 is contacted by und opened by the inner end of the plunger 31, so that when the operator lifts upwardly on the handle 36 the valve will remain in contact with the end of the plunger 31 until the valve is seated. Continued upward movement of the plunger 31 produces a complete vacuum in the high pressure chamber so that when the end of the plunger begins tol clear the opening 30, atmospheric pressure exerted on the outer face ofthe follower 19 will cause the follower 19 to move inwardly and force lubricant from the low pressure cylinder 5 into the high pressure cylinder until the latter is substantially completely filled. The compressor is then in condition to supply lubricant to another bearing.

The inward movement of the plunger 31 is accompanied by a corresponding movement of the cylinder 23, and after the valve 24 opens so as to equalize the pressure of the lubricant on both .sides of this valve, this valve makes contact with the end of the plunger 31 as soon as it projects past the valve seat 22. In this position of the plunger 31 and the cylinder 23, the extension 32 of the plunger 31 substantially fills the bore of the cylinder 23. Thereafter, when the operator reverses the movement of the handle '36, the valve 24 and the cylinder 23 follow the movement ofthe plunger 31 until the valve 24 seats. Continued outward movement of the plunger 31 causes the extension 32 to be partially withdrawn from the cylinder 23, thereby) creating a vacuum which tends to suck ackwardly the lubricant in the discharge conduit 44 and the coupling 45, so as to prevent any of the lubricant being discharged from the coupling 45. With this construction it is unnecessary to provide a valve in the coupling 45 for automatically preventing the escape of lubricant therefrom when it is detached from the fitting.

When continued operation of my compresser has caused the follower 19 to move inwardly until it is positioned against the heads of the screws 11, or otherwise revented from moving inwardly any furt er, the operator, by turning the handle 16, can disconnect the clamping rod 17 from the boss 18 so that the cover 13 can be removed from the outer end of the cylinder 5. The operator can then either fill the low pressure cylinder 5 while it is still positioned upon the closure 6 or he can remove the low pressure cylinder and fill it. In either event, after it has been filled it is reversed end for end so as to bring the follower 19 at the outer end of the cylinder. What was previously the outer end of the cylinder is inserted between the flange 12 of the gasket and the annular rib 7. The rod 17 can then be inserted through the guide tube 18', which isheld in osition by the lubricant surrounding it. his guide tube, therefore, serves to guide the rod 17 into the threaded opening in the boss 18. It also serves as a guide for the follower 19. In the drawing the space between the rod 17 and the guide tube 18 has been slightlyl exaggerated.

Upon rotating the handle 16 in the proper direction, the cap 13 can again be clamped to the outer endV of the cylinder 5 and the latter is clamped to the closure 6.

I provide a pair of feet 48 which are integrally formed with opposite sides ofthe closure 6 and may be bolted or otherwise secured to a suitable platform 49 for supportingvinly compressor.

ile I have described the details of construction of the preferred embodiment of having a c osure for one end provided with a bore, a closure for the other end, means for clamping said closures to the ends of said low pressure cylinder comprising a rod extending between said closures, a guide tube surrounding said rod, a follower slidably mounted upon said guide tube, one end of said .bore being enlarged to form 'a valve chamber and to lform a valve seat at the discharge endof the smaller portion of said bore, a cylinder reciprocably mounted in said valve chamber and carrying a valve for coacting with said seat, said valve and reciprocable cylinder having registering bores, a-spring surroundin said reciprocable cylinder foryieldingly olding said valve on said seat, a plunger in the smaller portion of said bore, said plunger having a reduced extcnsionirojecting through said valve and intosai ciprocable cylinder, and means for reciproeating said plunger.

2. A lubricant compressor comprising a horizontally disposed low pressure cylinder having a'closure for one end provided with a bore, a follower slidably mounted in said low pressure cylinder, one end of said bore being enlarged to form a valvel chamber and to form a valve seat at the discharge end of the smaller portion of said bore, a

cylinder reciprocably mounted in said valve c amber and carrying a valve for coacting with said seat, said valve and reciprocable cylinder having registering bores, a spring i surrounding said reciprocable cylinder for yieldingly holding said valve on said seat, a plunger in the smaller portion of said first named bore, said plunger having a reduced extension projecting through said valve and into said reoiprocable cylinder, and means for reciprocating said plunger.

3. A lubricant compressor comprising a low pressure cylinder having a closure for one end provided with a bore, one end of said bore formin a valve chamber, a valve seat between sai chamber and the remainin" cal-ily mounted in said valve chamber and portion of said bore, a cylinder reciprocarryin a valve for coactin'g with'said seat, said v ve and reciprocable cylinder having registering bores, a plun er in the smaller portion of said lir'st name bore, said plunger having a reduced extension projecting through said valve and into said reciprocable cylinder, and means for reciprocating said v plunger.

4. A lubricant compressor comprising aY low pressure cylinder, a closure for one end of said cylinder, said closure having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said bore being enlarged to provide a valve chamber and to form a valve seat at'the end of the smaller portion of said bore, means for establislfiing communication between the smaller portion of said. bore and said low pressure cylinder, a cylinder reciprocably mounted in said valve chamber, a plunger slidably mounted in the smaller portion of said bore and having an extension slidable in said reciprocable cylinder, and a valve for closing i the discharge end of the smaller portion of said bore.

5.A lubricant compressorcomprising a low pressure cylinder, a high'pi'essui'e cylinder communicating therewith, a valve chamber. communicating with the discharge end of said high pressure cylinder, a valve in said valve chamber for closing the' discharge end of said high pressure cylinder, a third cylinder communicating with'said valve chamber, and a plunger slidable in said high pressure c linder and provided with an extension slidable in said third cylinder.

6. A lubricant compressor comprising a low pressure cylinder, a high pressure cylinder communicating therewith, a valve chamber communicating with the discharge end of said high pressure cylinder, a third cylinder communicating with saidA valve chamber, means for placing the lubricant in said high pressure cylinder under pressure, means coacting with saidtliird cylinder `for reducingthe pressure on the lubricant in said valve chamber, and common means for actuating said two last named means. v

7. A lubricant compressor comprising a low pressure cylinder, a high pressure cylinder communicating therewith, a valve chamber for receiving lubricant from said high pressure cylinder, a valve for preventing a return flow ofI lubricant to said high pressure cylinder, and means in said valve chamber for reducing the pressure on the lubricant in said chamber. v

8. A lubricant compressor comprising a body having a bore, a plunger reciprocable in said bore, a valve overlying the end of Contact with said valve to completely disv placethe contents of said bore, a valve chamroo bei" and a discharge conduit receiving the material passing said valve, and means operated in synchronism with said plunger for automatically decreasing the capacity of said chamber and conduit during the diss charge stroke and increasing said capacity during'ret-urn stroke, said means comprising an Vextension on said plunger and 'a central cylinder carried .by said valve and slidably receiving said extension, said cylinder opening into said chamber below the level of said valve and below said discharge conduit.

9. A lubricant compressor comprising a body having a bore, a plunger reciprocable in said bore, a valve overlying the end of said bore, said plunger being movable into contact with said-valve to completely displace the contents of said bore, a valve chamber and a discharge conduit receiving the material passing said valve, and means operated automatically in synchronism with said plunger for decreasing the capacity of said chamber and conduit durinvthe dischargestroke and increasing said capacity during return stroke.

10. A lubricant compressor comprisin a body having a bore, a plunger reciproca le in said bore,fa valve overlying the end of said bore, said lunger being movable into contact with sald valve to completely displace the contents of said bore, a valve chamber and a discharge conduit receiving the material passing said valve, and means operated in synchronism with said plunger for automatically decreasing the capacity o f said chamber and conduit durinfY the discharge stroke and increasing said capacity during return stroke, said means comprising an extension on said plunger and a central cylinder carried by said valve and slidably receiving said extension. i

1l. A lubricant compressor comprising a body having a bore, a check valve at one end of said bore, a plunger insaid bore movable into contact with said valve to completely expel the contents of said bore, a

receiving system communicating with the discharge side of said valve, said receiving system having a second continuously open bore communicatin with said system, a second plunger slidale in said second bore, and common means for moving both plungers in and out in synchronism, said second plunger being mounted on the end of said first plunger and extending through said valve.

12. A lubricant compressor comprising a body having a bore, a check valve at one end of said bore, a plunger in said bore movable into contact with said valve Yto completely expel the contents of said bore, a receiving stem communicating with the dischar @..Sldeof said valve, said receiving system aving a second continuously open bore communicatin with said system, a second plunger slida le in said second bore, and common means for moving both plungers in and out in synchronism.

13. A lubricant compressor comprising compressing means, a check valve receiving and passing the material delivered by said compressing means, and preventing return flow, a discharge conduit for delivering the material passed by said check valve, means for relievin the pressure in said discharge conduit'wit out loss of material from said conduit, and an automatic operating connection between said compressing means and said relieving means.

14. Acompressor comprising ump means, a cylindrical reservoir for sai pump, said reservoir being connected at one end to said pump" and beln reversible end for end, a cap for the en of said reservoir remote from said pump, a tension rod extending axially from said cap to said pump for fastening said cap and cylinder in place, a sleeve housing said tension rod, and a suction follower slidable on said sleeve.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of April, 1923.

DOUGLAS F. FESLER. 

